Snugpak The Ionosphere One Man Tent Review

The Snugpak brand was established in the UK back in 1970, and over the years it has been garnering more global recognition for the production of its outdoor accessories, including tents such as this, sleeping bags, rucksacks and all manner of complimentary accessories.

Their Ionosphere is, we think, an improvement on their one-man Stratosphere which might not be suitable for anyone with a fear of enclosed spaces!

With the Ionosphere, what you are getting is an adequately sized tent that has ample room for one to sleep, plus area for your belongings, too. It really isn’t suitable for couples at all, so if you are anticipating guests then better to invest in something more substantial.

However, if you are one person who loves that impromptu getaway, just you, your motorbike, overnight backpack, and a solo tent, then boy are you going to have some happy adventures.

So let’s examine this in more detail and take a look at some of the great features and benefits that make this Snugpak Ionosphere such an attractive one man tent purchase.

Snugpak The Ionosphere One Man Tent

The Snugpak is proving to be a popular choice in the non-free-standing, solo tent category, so if you love getting away from everything alone for a day or two then this is the perfect portable one-man tent for you. It’s spacious and roomy enough inside to accommodate you and all your equipment, so there’s no need to be concerned about any of your gear being stolen while you sleep.

It’s a two-layered tent that features mesh to protect from insects, but also incorporates a rain fly that you can use to keep you warm and dry in any inclement weather. Described as a 3-season tent, it’s not for use in extremes of cold weather, but it’s perfectly adequate for most short stay camping trips in decent weather conditions. It’s not freestanding, so you do need to anchor it securely to the ground.

You might find it’s not ideal for uneven surfaces, but it is 5000 mm PU coated which means it’s been laminated with a protective layer of polyurethane, which makes it both waterproof and breathable at the same time.

It is what’s known as a bivy type tent, which means it has a low profile. Don’t let that put you off, though, as there is plenty of internal space so you won’t feel at all enclosed or claustrophobic.

You might have to get down on your hands and knees, though, to enter via the side entrance which is fully zippered and additionally features an extra Velcro fastening to secure the flap firmly into position in case the wind picks up.

It’s assembled around two anodized aluminum poles with pre-curved sections and has a color-coded, easy connect set up system so you should be able to quickly pop your tent up when you’ve reached your destination.

While there aren’t actually any vents in the fly, it has been designed to cleverly provide plenty of internal airflow so you should be comfortable overnight.

Who is this product for?

We’re not calling you “Billy no mates,” but you prefer to do your adventuring solo. You take the call of the wild seriously, and are ready at any given moment to head off into the wilderness with your backpack and your one-man tent to get back to nature for perhaps some much-needed rest and recuperation!

Or maybe you are part of the biking or hunting community, and while you may, in fact, have quite a lot of friends, the idea of sleeping in a small tent with them fills you with dread!

You want, and you relish, plenty of your own private space, and you have no intention of ever going on a fully fledged camping trip with all the family, moaning kids in tow, so what’s the point in investing in anything that is surplus in requirements? This Snugpak Ionosphere, then, is perfectly fine and dandy for you.

What’s included?

You get the tent measuring in at 94.5 x 35.4 x 102.4 inches, plus all your stakes and a carry bag are included.

Overview of features

Small and compact low profile test with a 500 mm PU coated fly

One single entry with fully taped waterproof seams

Lightweight constructed flysheet, with a waterproof polyester Ripstop

Inner tent made from 190t nylon with mesh

Super Featherlite anodized pole assembly

Repair kit included for on the spot damage touch up

Pros

Small and compact

Lightweight and portable

Low profile design

Fairly spacious inside

Easy to set up

Great value for money

Good surface to weight ratio

Plenty of space for you and your equipment

Cons

Not freestanding

Small door not ideal for individuals with a larger stature

Alternatives

A great alternative you might also like to consider is the Marmot Eos 1P. It is very lightweight and designed specifically for one person, and it has lots of great features and lots of positive online reviews from satisfied customers. It also makes a great little tent for your kids, too, and is perfect for backyard sleepovers.

It’s all fully color coded which makes set up simple and straightforward, even for children. Unlike the Ionosphere, it also comes with an external vestibule which is a useful extension for storing more of your gear.

Verdict

To conclude this Snugpak The Ionosphere One Man Tent review, we have to say that it is an excellent example of a low profile tent which is ideal for lone backpackers, overnight hiking, or mountaineering trips when the call of the wild just can’t be denied.

It’s not freestanding so that does go slightly against it, as you will have to choose your pitch spot carefully.

However, it is easy to assemble and has plenty of internal space. It also enjoys an excellent surface to weight ratio and has an excellent price, so it could well be the perfect solo tent for the intrepid adventurers among you.

By Jim|2018-07-27T14:33:36+00:00July 25th, 2018|Categories: Tents|Comments Off on Snugpak The Ionosphere One Man Tent Review

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My name's Jim and I love to get outside. Hiking, backpacking, camping, whatever. I started GearSignal because I wasted too much money on horrible gear that I ended up throwing out. I want to help you avoid making the same mistakes as me. Never buy another piece of crappy backpacking gear!

About Me

My name’s Jim and I love backpacking. I created Gear Signal because I was sick of having to search in 20 different places to figure out what gear to buy. I buy the gear I review and use it in the back country so you know exactly how it will hold up.